CFP: 19C Theatre and the Visual Arts (UK) (4/30/06; 7/13/06-7/15/06)

Call for PapersRuskinian Theatre: The Victorian Theatre and the Visual Arts (LancasterUniversity, 13-15 July 2006)

Proposals are invited for papers and respondents for a 2 day colloquiumsponsored by the History Department and the Ruskin Programme atLancaster University, and the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts,University of Birmingham.

This colloquium is part of the AHRC funded project: Ruskinian Theatre:the Aesthetics of the Nineteenth Century London Popular Stage,1870-1900, which seeks to investigate the interrelationships andinfluences of John Ruskin's aesthetic and social theories on the popularLondon stage in the late nineteenth century. Our meeting in 2005focussed on "Ruskin, Shakespeare, and the Victorian Theatre" and waspart of the "Victorian Life Writing" conference at Lancaster University.In 2007, we will meet at the University of Birmingham for a symposium on"Contemporary Issues in Theatre History & Historiography."

In 2006, our focus is on the popular stage as a meeting place for thecontemporary arts, particularly for the interconnections between thevisual and the performing arts. We are also continuing our investigationof the possibilities of the late nineteenth century popular theatre as asite for aesthetic and ethical education, propaganda, debate, orcontroversy. We seek to revise the standard narratives of theatre andcultural history in this period which ignore the popular theatre throughthe focus of standard theatre histories on the 'literary drama' and anemergent Modernist aesthetic.

Plenary speakers are expected to include Professors Jim Davis, ShearerWest, Jeffrey Richards, and Kate Newey. We seek proposals andexpressions of interest from theatre and art historians, and historiansof popular culture and the fin de siècle. We are particularly interestedin contributions which rethink the relationship between visual cultureand the stage.

Papers are invited which address these themes (either in negotiationwith John Ruskin's work, or not), and might cover (but are not limited to):* debates over the 'literary' and/or 'legitimate' drama vs the popularand the spectacular* relationships of practice between literary theatre, Modernist theatre,and popular and spectacular theatre* the relationships between popular theatre and visual culture* the concept of a 'National Theatre' and/or a 'National Drama'* studies of the interactions of theatre managements and contemporaryartists* the iconography of actors and actresses* the self-representation of women theatre practitioners* theatre historiography and visual culture

Proposals should reach the convenors by 30 April 2006.

All papers submitted will be considered for publication as part of theproject.